the starting point of the Historical Way.
I arrived in Santiago do Cacem at noon to a celebration party at the local tourism bureau. I was just looking for a map, but was handed a glass of wine, some savoury cheeses and cured meats, and Alcomonias cake! Alcomonias is Arabic in origin and contains pine nuts, a pinch of cumin, flour and sugar. Yummy!
Lots of Arabic history here. This castelo, which I toiled up a steep hill to explore, was built in 712 by the Moors, and then captured and rebuilt by the Knights of Templar in 1157. Now it’s the local cemetery.
Trekked over several more hills to my room for the next two nights. Tomorrow I am following a ‘Circular Route’ around the town to see the ruins of a Roman village. But tonight, it’s cheese and beer followed by a shower!
